Phillips interviews, now waits on Dallas

By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 27, 2007
Wade Phillips spent the day in Dallas yesterday, interviewing for the chance to be the next head coach of that celebrated franchise. “We had a very encompassing talk,” Phillips said of his seven hours with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “I think he knows what I'm about as far as trying to get ahold of the things I thought I could do.”

Phillips, the Chargers' defensive coordinator the past five seasons, also met with Cowboys Vice President Stephen Jones, former Dallas head coach Bill Parcells and recently hired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Garrett still might be the Cowboys' head coach if Phillips or one of the remaining candidates is not hired.

The Cowboys are still to interview San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner and New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs. “I don't think it will take a long time,” Phillips said. “ . . . That's what I've been told.”

Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer said he has some contingency plans in case Phillips is hired away. He said he would “seriously consider” choosing from inside his staff, as he recently did with the offensive coordinator's position.

Have any of you ever seen Manusky on the sidelines going irate telling the players to skullfuk the other team? OMG, I saw one on NFLN (NFL replay or something) and he was yelling and spitting and screamin and I was ready to jump off my couch and forearm shiver my neighbors.

That's the kind of coach this defense is longing for. I don't wanna hear about experience, I think that our LB's are probably the best coached group on the team next to the OLine. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? Marty is gone in a year anyways.

We have agressive players on our D, who better to coach them but a fiery coach? Give the dude a shot.

Have any of you ever seen Manusky on the sidelines going irate telling the players to skullfuk the other team? OMG, I saw one on NFLN (NFL replay or something) and he was yelling and spitting and screamin and I was ready to jump off my couch and forearm shiver my neighbors.

That's the kind of coach this defense is longing for. I don't wanna hear about experience, I think that our LB's are probably the best coached group on the team next to the OLine. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? Marty is gone in a year anyways.

We have agressive players on our D, who better to coach them but a fiery coach? Give the dude a shot.

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Oh please .. Mauk was also supposed to be that irate & firery guy on the offense line and look how well that turned out .. It is one thing having those characteristics, but another having the experience to doing the job. I'm not saying he wouldn't be a good coach but I question if it is worth the risk to bring someone who is relatively new to coaching. I think he would benefit more as an assistant defensive coordinator.

I wouldn't worry too much about Wade. On NFL network Turner seems to be the front runner. Jones is consulting Aikman on the HC hire and Troy is a big Turner supporter. Turner was who did the intro for Aikman's HOF induction.

They also said that Turner may not want to coach in the NFL much longer and would be grooming the new OC, Jason Garrett to take over as HC after he was done.

Next offseason, teams in search of head coaches could be choosing from a field that includes former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, Tennessee's Jeff Fisher, Chicago's Lovie Smith, San Diego's Marty Schottenheimer, maybe Bill Parcells and possibly even New England's Bill Belichick.

Cowher is free to sign with any team after next season, one year after Pittsburgh did not offer him fair market value.

Fisher, according to a source, is not expected to get a contract extension with Tennessee, which would make him a free agent after next season.

Smith and the Bears have been talking, but nothing has materialized and there's no reason for Chicago's coach to sell himself short when he has a Super Bowl on his resume.

Schottenheimer and the Chargers are a divorce waiting to happen after San Diego offered its coach a $4.5 million contract that included a $1 million buyout.

Parcells is apt to return to coaching at any time, as his history indicates.
And maybe, most interesting, multiple sources around the league believe that Belichick's contract, which does have three years remaining on it, is filled with mutual options that could allow him or the team to nullify the deal as early as next year.

Not only are these coaches' contractual situations looming over next season, they loom over this one as well. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is aware of the bountiful coaching Class of 2008, and it could impact whom he chooses to coach his team in '07.
Had Parcells stayed for one more year, it would have perfectly positioned Jones for 2008, when the most famous class of coaches would become available. But now Jones is in a holding pattern.
If Jones wanted to hire a caretaker or some type of coach in an experimental role -- such as former Cowboys quarterback Jason Garrett -- then he would be free to hire a big-name coach to help usher in the new stadium he is opening in 2009.
Garrett became the first outside-the-organization candidate to interview with Jones this week. The two met on Jan. 24. It is unclear whether Jones views Garrett more as a head coaching candidate or the offensive coordinator, but it is confirmed that the Cowboys owner knows he must hire somebody who is going to continue to develop his Pro Bowl quarterback, Tony Romo. This is imperative to Jones.

But he also might find it imperative to attack the Class of 2008, the same way the Giants, Redskins, Panthers, Browns and Chargers could.
Right now, the NFL is wrapping up one of its most successful postseasons. But next offseason already is looming as one of the most intriguing in its history.

And here's one last thought on the topic that's not entirely outlandish to ponder: Just how much money would Redskins owner Daniel Snyder pay for a guy like Belichick? Enough to alter the coaching salary structure, that's for sure.

Next offseason, teams in search of head coaches could be choosing from a field that includes former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, Tennessee's Jeff Fisher, Chicago's Lovie Smith, San Diego's Marty Schottenheimer, maybe Bill Parcells and possibly even New England's Bill Belichick.

Cowher is free to sign with any team after next season, one year after Pittsburgh did not offer him fair market value.

Fisher, according to a source, is not expected to get a contract extension with Tennessee, which would make him a free agent after next season.

Smith and the Bears have been talking, but nothing has materialized and there's no reason for Chicago's coach to sell himself short when he has a Super Bowl on his resume.

Schottenheimer and the Chargers are a divorce waiting to happen after San Diego offered its coach a $4.5 million contract that included a $1 million buyout.

Parcells is apt to return to coaching at any time, as his history indicates.
And maybe, most interesting, multiple sources around the league believe that Belichick's contract, which does have three years remaining on it, is filled with mutual options that could allow him or the team to nullify the deal as early as next year.

Not only are these coaches' contractual situations looming over next season, they loom over this one as well. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is aware of the bountiful coaching Class of 2008, and it could impact whom he chooses to coach his team in '07.
Had Parcells stayed for one more year, it would have perfectly positioned Jones for 2008, when the most famous class of coaches would become available. But now Jones is in a holding pattern.
If Jones wanted to hire a caretaker or some type of coach in an experimental role -- such as former Cowboys quarterback Jason Garrett -- then he would be free to hire a big-name coach to help usher in the new stadium he is opening in 2009.
Garrett became the first outside-the-organization candidate to interview with Jones this week. The two met on Jan. 24. It is unclear whether Jones views Garrett more as a head coaching candidate or the offensive coordinator, but it is confirmed that the Cowboys owner knows he must hire somebody who is going to continue to develop his Pro Bowl quarterback, Tony Romo. This is imperative to Jones.

But he also might find it imperative to attack the Class of 2008, the same way the Giants, Redskins, Panthers, Browns and Chargers could.
Right now, the NFL is wrapping up one of its most successful postseasons. But next offseason already is looming as one of the most intriguing in its history.

And here's one last thought on the topic that's not entirely outlandish to ponder: Just how much money would Redskins owner Daniel Snyder pay for a guy like Belichick? Enough to alter the coaching salary structure, that's for sure.

I want Jeff Fisher to coach the Chargers sooooo bad. He's a hell of a coach, I wonder why Tenn is not extending him?

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He is a good coach, but has only been to the dance one, right? I mean yourself and others are frustrated with our current coach who has post season performance issues, and you want to hire a younger version?:icon_eek: